Peerless Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Rating: 16/23 Nose: Somewhat dry, smoky wood with some grain. A hint of coffee and minerals too. A touch of something herbal with a bit of mint starts to emerge. The nose isn't very strong, but it doesn't seem weak either. I detect a subtle fruitiness in the bright cherry to apricot range. Mostly, it's that grainy wood, making me think it might have been aged quickly (though I'm biased because I already know it's young), but it's not over-oaked and has just enough mustiness to suggest it could be 10 years old (or contain some 10-year-old spirit) if I didn't know otherwise. It's somewhat similar to Russell's Reserve 10 and comparable in fullness. Palate: This certainly makes a statement! It's woody with sawdust and mustiness. There's a tiny bit of chocolate, but also some grain and a touch of tartness. It's fairly smoky, but not at all overwhelming. The balance, strength, and complexity are all quite good. It has less of a teabag flavor and sweetness, but more smoke and distinct flavors than Kings County Bourbon. It's not weak, but it's not as full-bodied as the Kings County. There's a bit more alcohol noticeable here, though it's not excessive, and I also detect a slight funk that reminds me a little of Wild Turkey. It's less sweet and rich than Wild Turkey 101, but the fullness feels quite similar, which is respectable. There's a dryness and hint of smoke that reminds me more of Russell's Reserve 10. However, this is smokier, richer, and bolder in a way that recalls my bottle of Garrison Brothers Single Barrel (cask strength). The Garrison Brothers is decidedly sweeter and richer with more chocolate and sweet whole wheat bread, though. This is very smoky. It's a different approach to bourbon, and I like it. There's some serious clove (though not like a teabag) and licorice present. It's actually quite spicy. Finish: A little dried bing cherry appears on the finish, oddly enough. It remains rich, but becomes less intense and sweeter. - Conclusion - I fully expected this to be young and rather unappealing. That was not the case. I had wondered about the hype surrounding Peerless, and I suppose now I understand. I can't say I prefer this to Wild Turkey Rare Breed or Russell's Reserve Single Barrel, but it's better than Kings County and holds its own against Russell's Reserve 10. I'm uncertain how to compare it to Garrison Brothers. I'd say the quality is fairly similar. I was considering a score between 15 and 18 for this, but now I'm leaning towards 16 or 17, favoring 16. This is a nice bourbon with a very distinct character. I think I'll settle on a 16, but I could see myself scoring it a 17 in the future. Thank you for the sample.

Tasted neat from a neck pour, a store pick. While I appreciate the Small Batch Peerless, this didn't blow me away. I remember peanuts and preserves, evoking a PB&J sandwich. It was good for a 4-year-old, but I preferred New Riff and Wilderness Trail. I wasn't intending to get a single barrel, but its deep color was captivating. This store pick is DARK, appearing far older than its 4 years when compared to the Small Batch. Let's see if this impulse buy proves regrettable... Hmmm. Uh oh. The initial aroma wasn't strong, like damp wood after rain. I'm searching. Okay, I finally detected some sweetness, which was concerning. It's floral with a hint of peanut, then some fruit emerges – nice strawberry. Mostly floral, though. Hmmm. A pleasant creamy mouthfeel, and the flavor on the tongue is pure strawberry jam, which is quite unique. The taste is better than the aroma suggested. The oak is intense and overwhelming; I need to pause. Okay, the strawberry jam shifts to a peanut butter cup – creamy peanut butter encased in chocolate. Then oak appears on the finish, along with a rye kick. Hints of vanilla and mint accompany it. This is a flavor explosion I didn't anticipate. I poured a glass of the Small Batch for comparison; there's no contest. The Small Batch is dull and simple next to this single barrel. So much flavor! I didn't expect this. The aroma doesn't hint at the layers of taste. It's intense and delicious, with that oak finish. It's unbelievable for only 4 years old, showing no signs of youth. This will be fun for blind tastings, likely surprising people in the best way. A solid impulse purchase!

Aroma - peanut brittle, Nutella, vanilla, milk chocolate, cherry, apple, orange blossom, cinnamon, nutmeg, sweet oak, marshmallow, graham cracker, leather, mint, black pepper, dry floral notes, noticeable ethanol sting. Flavor - caramel, vanilla, cherry, peanut butter, graham cracker, toasted marshmallow, cocoa, cinnamon, nutmeg, leather, orange zest, black pepper, sour apple, rich oak, noticeable alcohol bite, with a medium-long finish of caramel, baking spice, and sour apple. Wow, the peanuts! Could this be from Beam? It could pass for a double oaked Jim Beam if I didn't know. The aroma is loaded with nuts: peanut butter, Nutella, toffee, peanut brittle. Some more conventional bourbon scents are present too, like leather, baking spices, and sweet fruit, supported by a decent oak foundation. The palate echoes the aroma, but an unwelcome sourness, a mix of orange peel and sour apple, creeps in. The finish is better than average, with a mouthfeel that's neither thick nor thin. Overall, it's a very good bourbon, but the aforementioned issues prevent it from being great. Unfortunately, Peerless charges a premium for their products, and $80 is a lot for a four-year-old whiskey that isn't exceptional. At least Booker's, at a similar price, is at least six years old. Many thanks to a friend for the sample. I'm open to trying more Peerless spirits, but I'll stick to samples or restaurant pours for now, rather than buying a bottle soon.

This is a special barrel selection from Justin's House of Bourbon, bottled at 112.8 proof, with a barrel date of August 26th, 2016, labeled "The Birthday Barrel". Let's see what this birthday barrel offers. The nose is initially sweet with rich caramel, peanut brittle, cloves, dark chocolate, moving into citrus notes of orange and cherry, and finishing with barrel spices like polished oak and leather. The taste mirrors the nose, featuring a rich caramel-laden mouthfeel, peanut brittle, cloves, dark chocolate, returning to citrus notes of orange, cherry, and barrel spices of polished oak and leather, with a noticeable alcohol bite from the high proof. The finish is a long caramel embrace with a lingering mix of peanut brittle, cloves, cherry, orange, polished oak, and leather that lasts for minutes. In summary, "The Birthday Barrel" is an excellent selection, and with the bottle less than a quarter full, it's perfect for enjoying on a snowy day.

Oak Trail Spirits Selection Smell: A comforting embrace of alcohol and deep vanilla, perhaps a whisper of cherry. It signals a bit of heat, but the aromas are all pleasing. Flavor: Echoes the aroma. A touch of cinnamon accompanies the warmth, with faint notes of oak. The conclusion brings chocolate and a distinct tobacco essence that has a pleasant persistence. With ice: Largely unchanged, just slightly less sharp. Summary: Very enjoyable, straightforward but a reliable drink. I'd give it 3.9 out of 5.

“Candied Pear” Smell - warm butter with spice, hints of dark syrup, dessert spices. Flavor - sweet honey that reappears on the exit. Middle tastes of syrupy candy, spice, nut pie, and toasted pears. The toasted pears really come through with every taste for me and it's fantastic. Conclusion - this is truly outstanding. Incredible aroma, incredible flavor. A moderately long finish. The warmth is amazing and blends perfectly with the sweet notes.